Well done Lancashire

Posted by Tony Hutton

It does not come naturally for any Yorkshireman to heap praise on Lancashire, but I think that yesterday's dramatic events at Taunton call for some reaction.

Watching events unfold over the last four days, thanks to Sky Sports, has been fascinating, as the games at the Riverside, The Rose Bowl and Taunton ebbed and flowed.

Lancashire have without doubt been the team of the season and have played positive cricket throughout, no doubt helped by playing all their home matches on out grounds with result pitches. Perhaps there is a message there for Yorkshire who could return to Harrogate, Abbeydale and Middlesborough.

However in the vital last matches, Warwickshire with whom I had a passing interest as a schoolboy, lacked that vital element or spark to take chances. Their substantial first innings score was compiled far too slowly and robbed them of the necessary time to bowl Hampshire out twice. The fact that their latest overseas import, Chanderpaul, played three big innings in recent weeks, was a big part in getting them near the title is in stark contrast to Lancashire.

For once they had a side with the majority of players being local lads and had little reliance on their overseas players. Of course we on this side of the Pennines will continue to remind them that two of their star men, Chapple and Keedy, are Yorkshiremen

That said Lancashire's positive approach to their last match, as it has all season, showed up Warwickshire's rather pedestrian style and they are worthy winners after all those years in the doldrums. So well done Lancashire and congratulations to all my many Lancashire friends who at long last can hold their heads up high and will no doubt continue to crow about their victory, and Yorkshire's relegation, throughout the long winter months ahead.